Dynamic torque measuring system

ABSTRACT

A system forming part of subterranean well drilling apparatus for measuring torque between a rotating drive element and a rotating driven element connected between the driving and driven elements, a strain detection and transmitting system connected with the coupling element and carried by the rotating elements for continuously detecting the transient strains imposed in the coupling element by torque between the driving and driven elements and for transmitting a radio output indicative thereof, and a stationary radio receiver system for receiving and indicating such output as a function of torque and torque variations between the driving and driven elements.

llnited States Patent (1 1 Sheldon et al.

451 Apr. 24,197?

[ 1 DYNAMIC TORQUE NIEASURING SYSTEM [75] Inventors: Loren B. Sheldon,Long Beach, Calif.; Lester Lee Cain, Ethell; J. Dower, Houston, both ofTex.

[73] Assignee: Drill-Au-Mation Inc., Houston, Tex.

[22] Filed: Dec. 17, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 128,597

[52] 11.8. C1 ..73/l36 [51] Int. Cl. ..G0ll 3/10 [58] Field of Search..73/136 A, 136 C,

[56] 1 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,319,464 5/1967 Bender..73/l36 A 2,651,197 9/1953 Crookston et a]. ..73/1 36 D 2,403,9527/1946 Ruge ..73/136 C 3,128,622 4/1964 Lebow ..73/l36 C 3,000,2089/1961 Piazza, .112... ..73/136 A 3,134,279 5/1964 Sims et 211......73/136AX 3,350,944 11/1967 Michele ..73/l36 A UX 3,664,184 5/1972 Dyer..73/136 A FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 984,540 2/ 1965 Great Britain..73/ l 36 A 997,723 7/1965 Great Britain ..73/l36 A 939,175 10/1963Great Britain ..73/136 C 71,214 5/1970 Germany ..73/l36 C PrimaryExaminerCharles A. Ruehl AttorneyDonald H. Fidler [57] ABSTRACT A systemforming part of subterranean well drilling apparatus for measuringtorque between a rotating drive element and a rotating driven elementconnected between the driving and driven elements, a strain detectionand transmitting system connected with the coupling element and carriedby the rotating elements for continuously detecting the transientvstrains imposed in the coupling element by torque between the drivingand driven elements and for transmitting a radio output indicativethereof, and a stationary radio receiver system for receiving andindicating such output as a function of torque and torque variationsbetween the driving and driven elements.

26 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR 24 I975 SHEET 2 OF 4INVENTORS. F1 5'- a we/v aar/ewo/v 465766 4. CA/A/ BY E7715 .1. DOWERPATENTEUAPR 24 I975 SHEET 3 BF 4' INVENTORS. (066M 5. $HE4 00M 65766 4.MW Y ETHELL J. 00mm PATENTEBAPRZMENS I 3,728,896

' 3W UF 4 56V Fm 1.1,

I NV ENTORS.

I 55 wee/v 5. @vaw/v warez 4. cA/A/ 10 BY Erusu. J. DOM/ER DYNAMICTORQUE MEASURING SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There is a definiteneed to ascertain the torque developed to rotate a drill string within awell bore and the transient peaks of torque developed during drillingoperations.

Drilling torque measuring systems presently in general use involve anidler roller placed in position to deflect the tension or driving sideof the chain drive to the rotary mechanism used to rotate the drillpipe. The force required to deflect the drive chain is correlative tothe torque required to rotate the drill pipe. Apparatus (generallyhydraulic) is provided to detect the deflection force required and toindicate or record the same as an indication of torque. More detailedexplanation of such system is made on pages 1862,2138, 2903, 3237-3239and 4574 of the 1970-71 edition of the COMPOSITE CATALOG OF OIL FIELDEQUIP- MENT AND SERVICES, published by Gulf Publishing Company, Houston,Texas, hereinafter referred to as the COMPOSITE CATALOG. Such systemsare generally satisfactory but are not as accurate as is desirable attimes. More important, such systems inherently give a dampened oraverage indication of torque due to elastic strain of the variousconnecting elements and do not detect transient peaks of torque.Detection of such transient peaks is very important at times since thesame may be a function of impact loading which must be considered in theconstruction, provision and operation of drilling equipment.

Another drilling torque measuring system involves the use of electricalstrain resistors attached to a specially constructed sprocket includedin the chain drive of the rotary drilling mechanism. Such strainresistors deflect with the internal strain of the sprocket and exhibitan electrical resistance variation which is a function of torque. Theresistors are electrically connected through a slip ring assemblymounted on the rotating sprocket shaft and a stationary electrical brushpickup assembly to a potential detection and indication system. A systemof this kind is disclosed in a technical paper entitled ROTARY TABLETORQUE TRANS- DUCER which was presented at the 1969 Fall meeting of theSociety for Experimental Stress Analysis, located at 21 Bridge Square,Westport, Conn. This system is an improvement to the chain deflectionsystem in that better indication is given of transient peaks in drillingtorque. However, a considerable number of power transmission elementssubject to strain remain between the strain resistors and the drill pipeto lend an averaging effect to applied torque. Also, the power train tothe drilling mechanism must be modified to accommodate the special chainsprocket and slip ring assembly with attendant expense for an otherwisestandard drilling unit. The electrical slip ring assembly can be asource of malfunction in this type of torque measuring system.

The measurement of torque through strain measurement apparatus has beenpreviously developed as shown in US. Pats. Nos. 2,392,293, 3,290,930,3,314,034 and 3,422,445, for example. Systems for telemetering theoutput of strain circuits have also been developed as shown in US. Pats.Nos. 2,555,355, 3,350,944 and 3,062,043, for example. Reference is alsomade to Technical Paper No. 69-554 entitled WIRELESS TEMPERATURE ANDSTRAIN Measurement and presented at the 1969 conference of theInstrument Society of America, located at 530 William Penn Place,Pittsburgh, Pa. 15219 (hereinafter referred to as STRAIN MEASUREMENT).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The drilling torque measuring system of thepresent invention is sensitive to small changes in torque and alsosensitive to very rapid transient peaks in applied torque. The systemmay beprovidecl readily as an integral unit easily assimilatedinto-existing well drilling equipment and at reasonable cost. The systemas provided is inherently compensated for drift caused by change oftemperature and for non-linearity.

An object of this invention is to provide a torque measuring system ofsuperior fidelity and accuracy.

Anotherobject of this invention is to provide a torque measuring systemcompensated for changes in temperature.

A further object of this invention is to provide a drilling torquemeasuring system which produces an analog function indicating drillingtorque.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a torque measuringsystem which accurately indicates very fast transient peaks andvariations in drilling torque.

These and other objects and advantages are attained in the drillingtorque measuring system shown and described herein including a rotatablestrainable elastic coupling means adapted for connection between arotating driving element and a rotating driven element for rotationtherewith, a strain detection and transmitting means included in thecoupling means and adapted to be carried with the rotating elements forcontinuously detecting the strain and changes thereof imposed in thecoupling member by torque applied between the driving and drivenelements and for transmitting an output indicative thereof, and astationary receiver means radiocoupled to the transmitter means forreceiving and indicating such output as a linear function of the torqueand torque variations between the driving and the driven elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a portion of presently useddrilling apparatus with incorporation of one embodiment of the torquemeasuring apparatus of this invention and taken along the line ll ofFIG. 2.

FIG. la is an alternate embodiment of a receiving antenna shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view, partly in plan, taken along theline 2--2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view, partly in plan, taken along theline 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4-is an enlarged sectional view of a. portion of FIG. 1 asindicated thereon.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of a portion of a newer type ofdrilling apparatus with incorporation of an accommodating embodiment ofthe torque measuring apparatus of this invention and taken along theline 55 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 is a horizontal sectional view, partly in plan, taken along theline 66 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of the strainable coupling membersshown in FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6 with strain detection elements mountedtherewith.

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of the sensing detection,transmission, receiving and indicating circuitry incorporated in thetorque measuring system illustrated in FIGS.1, 2, 5 and 6.

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of another sensing circuit suitablefor incorporation into the circuitry shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of still another sensing circuitsuitable for incorporation in the circuitry shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of yet another sensing circuitsuitable for incorporation into the circuitry shown in FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS. 1-4, thestructure of the present invention is shown mounted in operatingposition with a rotary drilling apparatus or rotary table 10, a portionof which is shown, which is mounted on a drilling support structureincluding structural beams 12. Rotary table 10 includes a rotary drivemember 14 mounted within a housing 16 which in turn is mounted on beam12. Nested within drive memberl4 and adapted to be driven in rotationthereby is a drive bushing or master bushing 18. Such rotary drillingapparatus and equipment driven thereby is presently used and commonlyknown in the art. For further representative description, reference maybe made to pages 3496-3498 of the COMPOSITE CATALOG, such descriptionbeing expressly incorporated herein by reference.

Mounted above and within master bushing 18 is a Kelly driving assembly20 which generally includes a roller Kelly drive bushing or kellybushing 22 connected to a Kelly coupling member 24 through shoulderedKelly drive pins 26.

Kelly bushing 22 forms a housing 28 and a base 30. The Kelly bushinghousing incorporates a plurality of Kelly drive roller assemblies 32which are adapted to receive the polygonal stern of a drill pipe Kelly(not shown). The Kelly bushing 22 of the pin drive type (shown again inFIG. 5) is recently becoming more generally used and is commonly known.For further description, reference may be made to pages 192-207 of theCOMPOSITE CATALOG, such description being expressly incorporated hereinby reference.

Coupling member 24 is formed with a polygonal, generally square, driveshank 33 which is received in a correspondingly shaped drive socket 34formed in master bushing 18. Extending below shank 33 through masterbushing 18 is a guide sleeve 36. Base 30 defines an alignment sleeve 29extending into a counterbore defined in coupling member 24.

As previously mentioned, coupling member 24 is connected to the base 30of drive bushing by means of shouldered drive pins 26 which extendthrough holes 38 and 40 defined in coupling member 24 and base 30,respectively, such pins being retained in connecting relation means ofshoulders 42 on one end of the pins 26 and a threaded nut 44 connectedon the other end of such pins. The nuts 44 are locked to pins 26 withsuitable means such as tack welds 46 to prevent disassembly of driveassembly 20 which undergoes substantial vibration and impact loadingduring operation of the drilling apparatus.

As now apparent, rotation of drive member 14 drives the Kelly couplingmember 24 through shank 33 which carries the Kelly drive bushing 22 inrotation. Drive roller assemblies 32 in turn drive at Kelly (not shown)which is connected to and rotates a drill pipe and drill bit within awell bore.

Referring to FIG. 2, Kelly coupling member 24 is seen to include acentral circular hub 48 extending from shank 33 and a plurality ofstrainable and elastic deflection levers or beams 50 radially extendingin cantilever posture from hub 48in equally spaced relation.

Each deflection beam 50 terminates at the radially extended end with acarrier boss 52 which has defined therein the hole 38 receiving thedrive pin 26.

As can be seen with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the deflection beams 50are uniformly rectangular in cross section and are machined and temperedor heat treated to exhibit flexure characteristics whereby the torquestress applied between the hub 48 and the drive 26 impose a strain onthe beams 50 which is a direct function of the torque stress applied andwhich varies therewith in essentially linear relation.

The strain caused by such torque in each of the beam 50 results intensional displacement of the beam material on one side of the beam andcompressional displacement of the beam material on the other side ofsuch beam. Strain sensing means are provided to sense the straindisplacement occurring in the beams 50 in response to torque stressapplied. Asbest seen in FIG. 7, such sensing means are preferablyprovided as electrical strain resistors or strain gauges integrallyattached to the sides of each of the beams 50 at a point where straindisplacements occur. For convenience in nomenclature with reference toFIG. 7, and later with reference to FIGS. 2, 6 and 8-11, the strainresistors mounted to sense compressive displacement of the beams 50 aregenerally designated CR and the strain resistors mounted to sensetensional displacement of such beams are generally designated TR.

As generally known, strain resistors exhibit an increase in electricalresistance when stretched and a decrease in electrical resistance whencompressed. When mounted as shown in FIG. 7, the strain sensingresistors TRl TR4 exhibit an increase in electrical resistance as asubstantially linear function of the tensional strain displacement ofthe beams 50 and conseque'ntly the torque imposed in the coupling member24. Concurrently the strain sensing resistors CR1 CR4 exhibit a decreasein electrical resistance as a substantially linear function of thecompressional displacement of beams 50 as imposed by such torque. Thestrain resistors are electrically connected into a detection circuit aslater described.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the bosses 52, beams 50 and hub 48 arepartially enclosed in a circular dished housing 54. Completing suchenclosure is an annular closure member 56 counted between a skirtportion of housing 54 and shank 33 and attached to a flange 60 extendingabout the circumference of shank 33 by means of a plurality of fasteners62. O-ring seals 58 are disposed as shown at the junction of hub 48,closure member 56 and housing 54 to exclude the dirt and drilling mudnormally coating everything around during operation of the drillingequipment.

The strain resistors TRl TR4 and CR1 CR4 are connected as laterdescribed through a terminal block 64 and lead 66 to a detector andtransmitter package or unit 68 which is received in an opening definedin the horizontal surface of housing 54 and attached thereto. Power totransmitter unit 68 is supplied through a lead 70 from a power orbattery unit 72, also received in the fastened to housing 70.

Transmitter unit 68 houses the later described detection and transmittercircuits and the transmitter unit 68 and battery unit 72 may be quitesmall, for example, about the diameter of a 25 cent coin.

A passageway 74 is defined through guide sleeve 36, drive shank 33 and aportion of hub 48 as shown, to accommodate a lead 76 connectingtransmitter unit 68 to a transmitter antenna 78. As better shown in FIG.4, antenna 78 defines an interrupted circle in configuration and ispotted in an insulating carrier 80. Carrier 80 is retained in fixedcoaxial 12 by with guide sleeve 36 by means of a threaded and shoulderedbushing 82 which is threaded into accommodating threads provided withinsleeve 36 as shown.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, a receiving antenna assembly 84 is mountedbelow rotary table and between beams 12. Assembly 84 includes areceiving antenna 86 which may be an interrupted circle in configurationas shown, and is mounted within a rectangular support frame 88 by meansof insulating brackets 90. Frame 88 is mounted in braced relationbetween beams 12 by means of suitable leg bolts 92, as shown. Receivingantenna 86 is connected to a receiving circuit (not shown) throughsuitable leads 94.

Of note is that the transmitting antenna and receiving antennastructures as provided and shown afford lineof-sight radio transmission,designated as v S, therebetween. Such feature is important whenemploying the commonly used higher telemetering frequencies. Also ofnote is that the radio transmission-receiving environment is effectivelyshielded from extraneous interference by the metal mass of the rotarytable 10, beams 12 and support structure below (now shown).

FIG. 1a schematically depicts an alternate whip" type receiving antennaassembly which includes an antenna 96 connected through a deflectioncoil 98 to a mounting clamp 100 which in turn is adapted for attachmentto one of the beams 12 as shown. Such alternate structure additionallyprovides some advantages such as more convenience and flexibility ofinstallation.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate an alternate embodiment of drilling apparatus10 and Kelly drive assembly including the torque detection apparatus ofthe present invention. Components of such alternate embodiment whichcorresponds to like components shown in FIGS. 1-4 are designated withthe same numbers.

In this alternate embodiment the master bushing 18 is provided with aplurality of drive sockets 102 circumferentially disposed about the axisof master bushing 18, as shown, in lieu of the central drive socketpreviously described. The sockets 102 are adapted to receive a pluralityof drive pine 104, shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Kelly coupling member 24 isprovided with additional drive arms or beams 106 which radially extenddrive member 14, master bushing 18, drive pins 104,-

arms 106, hub 48, beams 50, pins 26, Kelly base 30 and so on aspreviously described.

The function of the deflection beams 50 and the strain resistors TRl TR4and CR1 CR4 is the same in the embodiments of both FIGS. l-2 and FIGS.5-6.

Also shown in FIG. 5 is a variation of the radio transmission-receivingstructure shown in FIG. 1. As shown, there is provided a transmitterantenna 118 disposed around housing 54 and mounted in an insulatingcarrier 120. Suitable brackets 122 support and protect the carrier withhousing 54 and a suitable connection is made with the transmitter unit68 (not shown). Mounted with the drilling structure (not shown) inlineof-sight relation with transmitter antenna 118 is a receiver antenna124. Receiver antenna 124 is mounted in an insulating carrier 126. Abracket 128 supports carrier 126 in protected relation. In thisembodiment the receiver antenna could be substituted by a whip typeantenna (not shown) such as'previously described with reference to FIG.1a.

SENSING, TRANSMISSION AND RECEIVING SYSTEM Referring now to FIGS. 7-10,and first to FIG. 7, previous description has shown that torque stressin duced in the kelly coupling member 24 imposes consequent strain inthe beams 50, such strain being an essentially linear function of suchtorque. The strain resistors or gauges TRl TR4 and CR1 CR4, which may beof the standard 350 ohm foil or wire type, for example, are cemented orotherwise integrally attached to the beams 50. As shown, the strainresistors TRl TR4 exhibit an increase in resistivity corresponding toincrease in strain in beams 50 and the strain resistors CR1 CR4 exhibita decrease in resistivity corresponding to increase in strain in suchbeams.

Referring to FIG. 8, the strain resistors TRl TR4 and CR1 CR4 are seento be incorporated into a bridge circuit 130 wherein TRI and TRZ areconnected into one arm of the bridge with TR3 and TR4 connected into'anopposing arm of the bridge. Likewise, CR1 and CR2 are connected intoanother arm of the bridge with CR3 and CR4 connected into anotheropposing arm.

A source of direct constant voltage, designated EC, is connected toopposing terminals 132 and 134 of the bridge to provide an essentiallyconstant current flow through the bridge circuit independent ofresistivity variations of the strain resistors and independent oftemperature within a workable range.

An increase in resistivity exhibited by strain resistors TR1 TR4, causedby increase torque in coupling 24 and resulting strain in beams 50,results in a corresponding increase in potential voltage at the otheropposing terminals 136 and 138 of the bridge. A decrease in resistivityexhibited by strain resistors CR1 CR4, also caused by increased torquein coupling 24 and resulting strain in beams 50, also results in acorresponding increase in potential voltage at terminals 136 and 138 ofthe bridge which is cumulative with the potential voltage change causedby the strain resistors TR. A decrease in torque and resulting strain inbeams 50 serve to reverse the action described above.

The feature of cumulative or essential doubling" of the potentialvoltage corresponding to applied torque as provided by bridge circuit130 as shown, .is useful in attaining increased sensitivity in thequantitative measurement of applied torque and the torque variations andpeaks. Also of note, in reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, is that all thestrain resistors, both direct and inverse acting, are disposed in thesame thermal environment so that resistance variations caused bytemperature changes are inherently compensated without drift.

Voltage terminals 136 and 138 of bridge circuit 130 are connectedthrough leads 140 and 142 into a chopper circuit 44 which is provided toconvert the direct current voltage appearing across terminals 136 and138 into an alternating current voltage or an interrupted direct currentvoltage. The output of chopper 144 is connected through a suitableconnection 146 into an amplifier 148. The output of amplifier 148 isconnected though a suitable connection 150 into a radio transmittercircuit 152 as a modulating voltage corresponding to the torque andtorque variations induced in coupling 24. The output of transmitter 152is connected through a suitable connection or lead 76 to an antenna 78,previously referenced with FIGS. 1 and 2. Y

The radio signal emanating from transmitter antenna 78 iselectrostatically or radiocoupled to receiver antenna 86. Line-of-sightcoupling of antenna 78 and 86 is desirable, particularly when utilizingthe higher transmission frequencies, but is not essential for theoperation of some embodiments of the invention.

Receiver antenna 86 is connected through a suitable connection or leads94 into a receiver circuit 154 which converts the received signal into avoltage corresponding to the torque induced in Kelly coupling member 24.The output of receiver 154 is connected through a connection 156 into anindicator and/or recorder apparatus 158. The output alternately may beconnected into a well drilling apparatus control system (not shown) aswell as other automated control systems.

Further information concerning the sensing, transmitter and receiversystem of FIG. 8 as described above, is available through reference toSTRAIN MEASUREMENT, as previously mentioned, the same being expresslyincorporated herein by reference.

FIGS. 9, l and 11 illustrate alternate embodiments of bridge circuitswhich are operable in lieu of bridge circuit 130 shown in FIG. 8. Whereapplicable, the same or similar identification as shown in FIG. 8 isassigned to like elements.

An alternate bridge sensing circuit 160 is shown in FIG. 9. As shown,the tension strain resistors TR are connected in a series-parallelarrangement in one arm of the bridge and the compression strainresistors CR are connected in a series-parallel arrangement in anotherarm of the bridge. To complete the bridge circuit 160, a balanceresistor BR is connected into the arm of the bridge opposing the strainresistors TR and a variable balance resistor BRV is connected into thearm of the bridge opposing the strain resistors CR. The purpose of thevariable resistor or potentiometer BRV is to balance or calibrate thebridge 160. Bridge 160 as shown does not exhibit the same magnitude orcumulative voltage at terminals 136 and 138 as does coupling but, whenconnected with coupling member 24, exhibits compensating characteristicswhich contribute to the linearity and temperature stability of thesystem. As with bridge 130, bridge is inherently compensated againstdrift caused by temperature variations. Other than noted above, bridgecircuit 160 functions in the torque measuring system of the presentinvention as previously described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

Another alternate bridge sensing circuit 162 is shown in FIG. 10. Theconstruction and function of bridge 162 is similar to that of bridge 160except that the strain resistors TR and CR are connected in a straightseries relation. Bridge 162 is also temperature compensated and exhibitsa greater cumulative voltage change with torque variation than doesbridge 160. An advantage of the provision of the arrangement of bridge162 is that, when .used in the torque measuring system of the invention,one to several beams 50 may be provided for coupling member 24 with eachbeam having connected therewith respective strain resistors TR and CR.Thus, bridge 162 would be provided within provision of three beams 50 incoupling member 24.

Yet another alternate bridge sensing circuit 164 is shown in FIG. 11.Bridge 164 is similar to bridge 162 with the exception that anotherbalance resistor BR is substituted for strain resistors in one arm ofthe bridge 164 and all the strain resistors are connected into only onearm of the bridge. Such strain resistors can be either tension strainresistors TR or compression strain resistors CR and in varied numberscorresponding to the number of beams 50 provided in coupling member 24.Bridge 164 otherwise functions as previously described.

In operation the system as shown is properly calibrated in anappropriate range or ranges in a manner and with suitable calibrationapparatus (not shown) as may be required.

The foregoing description and drawing will suggest other embodiments andvariations to those skilled in the art, all of which are intended to beincluded in the spirit of the invention as herein set forth.

That being claimed is:

1. A subterranean well drilling system comprising: a rotatable drivingmeans, rotatable driven means, a rotatable strainable elastic torquecoupling means including central torque transfer means connected toradially extending force transfer arm means and to radially extendingstrainable elastic force responsive beam means, and peripheral torquetransfer means connecting said force transfer arm means and said forceresponsive beams means between said driving means and said driven means,strain detection means and a transmitting means coupled therewithconnected with said coupling means to be carried in rotation by saidcoupling means for continuously detecting strains imposed in saidcoupling means by torque induced between said driving means and saiddriven means and for transmitting a radio output indicative thereof, andstationary radio receiving means radiocoupled with said transmittingmeans for receiving and indicating said output as a function of torqueand torque variations between said driving means and said driven means.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said strain detection means includemeans connecting said strain detection means with said force responsivebeam means.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said strain detection means includes anelectrical resistance bridge circuit incorporating strain resistors.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein said detection means and saidtransmitting means include an electrical bridge incorporating strainresistors connected with said force responsive beam means, a source ofconstant electrical current for exciting said bridge, means connecting apotential voltage appearing across said bridge into a modulatingvoltage, transmitter means respon sive to said modulating voltage andincluding a radio transmitting antenna for emanating a radio signalhaving correlation with said potential voltage, and receiving meansincluding a receiving antenna for receiving said radio signal andconverting said radio signal into an electric signal.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein said transmitting antenna and saidreceiving antenna are mounted in line-of-sight relation and inradio-shielded relation.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein said strain resistors comprise tensionstrain resistors and compressive strain resistors connected incumulative potential voltage relation with said bridge.

7. A subterranean well drilling system comprising: a rotatable drivingmeans, a rotatable driven means, a rotatable strainable elastic torquecoupling means including a hub, force transfer arms radially connectedto said hub, strainable deflection beams radially connected to said hub,and boss and pin means connecting said force transfer arms and saidstrainable deflection beams between said driving means and said drivenmeans, strain detection means and a transmitting means coupled therewithconnected with said coupling means to be carried in rotation by saidcoupling means for continuously detecting strains imposed in saidcoupling means by torque induced between said driving means and saiddriven means and for transmitting a radio output indicative thereof, andstationary radio receiving means radiocoupled with said transmittingmeans for receiving and indicating said output as a function or torqueand torque variations between said driving means and said driven means.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said detection means includes meansconnecting said detection means with said strainable deflection beams.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said detection means includes anelectrical bridge circuit incorporating strain resistors attached tosaid deflection beams.

10. The system of claim 7 wherein said detection means and saidtransmitting means include an electrical bridge incorporating strainresistors connected with said deflection beams, a source of constantelectrical current for exciting said bridge, means converting apotential voltage appearing across said bridge into a modulatingvoltage, transmitter means'responsive to said modulating voltage andincluding'a radio transmitting antenna for emanating a radio signalhaving a correlation with said potential voltage, and receiving meansincluding a receiving antenna for receiving said radio signal andconverting said radio signal into an electrical signal.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said transmitting antenna and saidreceiving antenna are mounted in line-of-sight relation and inradio-shielded relation.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein said strain resistors comprisetension strain resistors and compressive strain resistors connected incumulative potential voltage relation within said bridge.

13. A subterranean well drilling system comprising: a rotatable drivingmeans, a rotatable driven means, a rotatable strainable elastic torquecoupling means connected between said driving means and said drivenmeans, strain detection means and a transmitting means coupled therewithconnected with said coupling means to be carried in rotation by saidcoupling means for continuously detecting strains imposed in saidcoupling means by torque induced between said driving means and saiddriven means and for transmitting a radio output indicative thereof, anelongated sleeve means connected with said coupling means and extendingthrough said driving means, a radio transmitting antenna included withsaid transmitting means mounted with the extended end of said sleevemeans, and stationary radio receiving means including a radio receivingantenna means mounted with said drilling system and radiocoupled inline-of-sight relation with said transmitting antenna, the structure ofsaid drilling system serving to shield said transmitting antenna andsaid receiving antenna from extraneous radio interference, whereby saidreceiving means can receive and indicate said radio output as a functionof torque variations between said driving means and said driven means.

14. A torque responsive structure adapted for connection between drivingmeans and driven means including a first central torque transfer meansconnected with said driving means, a second, peripheral torque transfermeans connected with said driving means, strainable elastic driving beammeans extending in cantilever posture from said first central torquetransfer means, said second torque transfer means connecting said beammeans with said driven means, whereby strain imposed in said elasticdriving beam means cor? responds to torque induced between said drivingmeans and said driven means.

15. The structure of claim 14 wherein said driving means comprise rotarydrilling drive means and said driven means comprise drill string Kellydrive means.

16. A drilling torque measuring system for a rotary drilling rigcomprising:

rotatable driver means having a central bore, means for rotatablymounting said driver means for rotation of said driver means about itsvertical axis,

driven means disposed above said driver means, said driven means havinga central bore and means adapted for engagement with a well drillingmeans extendable through said bore,

torque responsive means interconnecting said driver means and saiddriven means and including radially disposed beam members,

strain detection means disposedon said beam members for detectingflexure of said beam members,

wireless transmitting means responsive to said detective means fordeveloping radio transmission signals as a function of torque and torquevariations between said driver means and said driven means,

means for supporting said transmitting means relative to said drivenmeans so that said transmitting means are rotatable with said drivenmeans,

radio receiving means radiocoupled in a line-of-sight relation with saidtransmitting means for receiving radio transmissions from saidtransmitting means, and

means for providing radio frequency shielding of said receiving meansfor minimizing reception of interfering and extraneous radio signals.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein said torque responsive means includesa hub connected to said driver means, and said beam members areconnected to said hub in cantilever posture and pin means connect saidbeam members to said driven means.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein said strain detection means arestrain resistors coupled into an electrical bridge for producing acumulative electrical response.

19. A drilling torque measuring system for a rotary drilling rigcomprising:

I table means,

a rotary drive housing rotatably supported in said table means andadapted to be rotated by a power means, said drive housing having acentral bore,

a master bushing received in said housing bore and fixed therein againstrelative rotation, said master bushing having a central bore, saidbushing bore including an upper locking recess means,

kelly driving means including a coupling member having a hub withlocking means receivable in said locking recess means, a sleeve portioninsertable through said bushing bore and beam portions extendingradially outward from said hub,

a base member disposed over said hub and having kelly driver means,

means coupling the outer ends of said beam portions to said base member,

strainable elastic force responsive means attached to said beam portionsfor producing electrical signals in response to flexure of said beamportions,

wireless transmitting means coupled to said force responsive means andresponsive thereto for producing functionally related radio transmissionsignals, housing means enclosing said transmitting means and forceresponsive means, transmitting antenna means disposed in said sleeveportion below said master bushing and coupled to said transmittingmeans, and receiving antenna means disposed relative to said table meansfor line-of-sight radio communication with said antenna means. 7 20. Thesystem of claim 19 wherein said force responsive means are connected toeither side of a beam portion for detecting both compression and tensionof said beam portions.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein said force responsive means arestrain resistors coupled into an electrical bridge for producing acumulative electrical signal.

22. The system of claim 19 and further including receiver means coupledto said receiving antenna means for producing output signals as afunction of torque and torque variations.

23. The system of claim 22 and further including in dicator meansresponsive to receiver output signals for producing indications oftorque and torque variations.

24. The system of claim 19 wherein said receiving and transmittingantenna means have an annular configuration and are generally concentricwith respect to one another.

25. A torque sensing transmission system for a well drilling systemcomprising: a rotary drilling table means including a rotary drivingmember mounted within a housing, said table means providing a metalmass, said driving member having a central opening, a master bushing andkelly driving assembly disposed in said central opening, said kellydriving assembly including means for deriving electrical signals as afunction of torque stress developed by the transmittal of force betweensaid kelly driving assembly and a kelly, means responsive to saidelectrical signals for developing radio transmission signals, said kellydriving assembly further including a depending sleeve portion which iscircumscribed by said metal mass, and transmitter antenna means on saidsleeve portion electrically coupled to said developing means and beinglocatedon said sleeve portion so as to be shielded bysaid metal massfrom extraneous radio signal interference.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein said transmitter antenna means havean annular configuration, and said system further includes an annularreceiving antenna means disposed in a line-of-sight relationship withrespect to said transmitter antenna means.

1. A subterranean well drilling system comprising: a rotatable drivingmeans, a rotatable driven means, a rotatable strainable elastic torquecoupling means including central torque transfer means connected toradially extending force transfer arm means and to radially extendingstrainable elastic force responsive beam means, and peripheral torquetransfer means connecting said force transfer arm means and said forcereSponsive beam means between said driving means and said driven means,strain detection means and a transmitting means coupled therewithconnected with said coupling means to be carried in rotation by saidcoupling means for continuously detecting strains imposed in saidcoupling means by torque induced between said driving means and saiddriven means and for transmitting a radio output indicative thereof, andstationary radio receiving means radiocoupled with said transmittingmeans for receiving and indicating said output as a function of torqueand torque variations between said driving means and said driven means.2. The system of claim 1 wherein said strain detection means includemeans connecting said strain detection means with said force responsivebeam means.
 3. The system of claim 2 wherein said strain detection meansincludes an electrical resistance bridge circuit incorporating strainresistors.
 4. The system of claim 2 wherein said detection means andsaid transmitting means include an electrical bridge incorporatingstrain resistors connected with said force responsive beam means, asource of constant electrical current for exciting said bridge, meansconnecting a potential voltage appearing across said bridge into amodulating voltage, transmitter means responsive to said modulatingvoltage and including a radio transmitting antenna for emanating a radiosignal having correlation with said potential voltage, and receivingmeans including a receiving antenna for receiving said radio signal andconverting said radio signal into an electric signal.
 5. The system ofclaim 4 wherein said transmitting antenna and said receiving antenna aremounted in line-of-sight relation and in radio-shielded relation.
 6. Thesystem of claim 4 wherein said strain resistors comprise tension strainresistors and compressive strain resistors connected in cumulativepotential voltage relation within said bridge.
 7. A subterranean welldrilling system comprising: a rotatable driving means, a rotatabledriven means, a rotatable strainable elastic torque coupling meansincluding a hub, force transfer arms radially connected to said hub,strainable deflection beams radially connected to said hub, and boss andpin means connecting said force transfer arms and said strainabledeflection beams between said driving means and said driven means,strain detection means and a transmitting means coupled therewithconnected with said coupling means to be carried in rotation by saidcoupling means for continuously detecting strains imposed in saidcoupling means by torque induced between said driving means and saiddriven means and for transmitting a radio output indicative thereof, andstationary radio receiving means radiocoupled with said transmittingmeans for receiving and indicating said output as a function of torqueand torque variations between said driving means and said driven means.8. The system of claim 7 wherein said detection means includes meansconnecting said detection means with said strainable deflection beams.9. The system of claim 8 wherein said detection means includes anelectrical bridge circuit incorporating strain resistors attached tosaid deflection beams.
 10. The system of claim 7 wherein said detectionmeans and said transmitting means include an electrical bridgeincorporating strain resistors connected with said deflection beams, asource of constant electrical current for exciting said bridge, meansconverting a potential voltage appearing across said bridge into amodulating voltage, transmitter means responsive to said modulatingvoltage and including a radio transmitting antenna for emanating a radiosignal having correlation with said potential voltage, and receivingmeans including a receiving antenna for receiving said radio signal andconverting said radio signal into an electrical signal.
 11. The systemof claim 10 wherein said transmitting antenna and said receiving antennaare mounted in line-of-sight relation and in radio-shIelded relation.12. The system of claim 10 wherein said strain resistors comprisetension strain resistors and compressive strain resistors connected incumulative potential voltage relation within said bridge.
 13. Asubterranean well drilling system comprising: a rotatable driving means,a rotatable driven means, a rotatable strainable elastic torque couplingmeans connected between said driving means and said driven means, straindetection means and a transmitting means coupled therewith connectedwith said coupling means to be carried in rotation by said couplingmeans for continuously detecting strains imposed in said coupling meansby torque induced between said driving means and said driven means andfor transmitting a radio output indicative thereof, an elongated sleevemeans connected with said coupling means and extending through saiddriving means, a radio transmitting antenna included with saidtransmitting means mounted with the extended end of said sleeve means,and stationary radio receiving means including a radio receiving antennameans mounted with said drilling system and radiocoupled inline-of-sight relation with said transmitting antenna, the structure ofsaid drilling system serving to shield said transmitting antenna andsaid receiving antenna from extraneous radio interference, whereby saidreceiving means can receive and indicate said radio output as a functionof torque and torque variations between said driving means and saiddriven means.
 14. A torque responsive structure adapted for connectionbetween driving means and driven means including a first central torquetransfer means connected with said driving means, a second, peripheraltorque transfer means connected with said driving means, strainableelastic driving beam means extending in cantilever posture from saidfirst central torque transfer means, said second torque transfer meansconnecting said beam means with said driven means, whereby strainimposed in said elastic driving beam means corresponds to torque inducedbetween said driving means and said driven means.
 15. The structure ofclaim 14 wherein said driving means comprise rotary drilling drive meansand said driven means comprise drill string Kelly drive means.
 16. Adrilling torque measuring system for a rotary drilling rig comprising:rotatable driver means having a central bore, means for rotatablymounting said driver means for rotation of said driver means about itsvertical axis, driven means disposed above said driver means, saiddriven means having a central bore and means adapted for engagement witha well drilling means extendable through said bore, torque responsivemeans interconnecting said driver means and said driven means andincluding radially disposed beam members, strain detection meansdisposed on said beam members for detecting flexure of said beammembers, wireless transmitting means responsive to said detection meansfor developing radio transmission signals as a function of torque andtorque variations between said driver means and said driven means, meansfor supporting said transmitting means relative to said driven means sothat said transmitting means are rotatable with said driven means,stationary radio receiving means radiocoupled in a line-of-sightrelation with said transmitting means for receiving radio transmissionsfrom said transmitting means, and means for providing radio frequencyshielding of said receiving means for minimizing reception ofinterfering and extraneous radio signals.
 17. The system of claim 16wherein said torque responsive means includes a hub connected to saiddriver means, and said beam members are connected to said hub incantilever posture and pin means connect said beam members to saiddriven means.
 18. The system of claim 16 wherein said strain detectionmeans are strain resistors coupled into an electrical bridge forproducing a cumulative electrical response.
 19. A drilling torquemeasuring system for a rotary drilling rig comprising: table means, arotary drive housing rotatably supported in said table means and adaptedto be rotated by a power means, said drive housing having a centralbore, a master bushing received in said housing bore and fixed thereinagainst relative rotation, said master bushing having a central bore,said bushing bore including an upper locking recess means, kelly drivingmeans including a coupling member having a hub with locking meansreceivable in said locking recess means, a sleeve portion insertablethrough said bushing bore and beam portions extending radially outwardfrom said hub, a base member disposed over said hub and having kellydriver means, means coupling the outer ends of said beam portions tosaid base member, strainable elastic force responsive means attached tosaid beam portions for producing electrical signals in response toflexure of said beam portions, wireless transmitting means coupled tosaid force responsive means and responsive thereto for producingfunctionally related radio transmission signals, housing means enclosingsaid transmitting means and force responsive means, transmitting antennameans disposed in said sleeve portion below said master bushing andcoupled to said transmitting means, and receiving antenna means disposedrelative to said table means for line-of-sight radio communication withsaid antenna means.
 20. The system of claim 19 wherein said forceresponsive means are connected to either side of a beam portion fordetecting both compression and tension of said beam portions.
 21. Thesystem of claim 20 wherein said force responsive means are strainresistors coupled into an electrical bridge for producing a cumulativeelectrical signal.
 22. The system of claim 19 and further includingreceiver means coupled to said receiving antenna means for producingoutput signals as a function of torque and torque variations.
 23. Thesystem of claim 22 and further including indicator means responsive toreceiver output signals for producing indications of torque and torquevariations.
 24. The system of claim 19 wherein said receiving andtransmitting antenna means have an annular configuration and aregenerally concentric with respect to one another.
 25. A torque sensingtransmission system for a well drilling system comprising: a rotarydrilling table means including a rotary driving member mounted within ahousing, said table means providing a metal mass, said driving memberhaving a central opening, a master bushing and kelly driving assemblydisposed in said central opening, said kelly driving assembly includingmeans for deriving electrical signals as a function of torque stressdeveloped by the transmittal of force between said kelly drivingassembly and a kelly, means responsive to said electrical signals fordeveloping radio transmission signals, said kelly driving assemblyfurther including a depending sleeve portion which is circumscribed bysaid metal mass, and transmitter antenna means on said sleeve portionelectrically coupled to said developing means and being located on saidsleeve portion so as to be shielded by said metal mass from extraneousradio signal interference.
 26. The system of claim 25, wherein saidtransmitter antenna means have an annular configuration, and said systemfurther includes an annular receiving antenna means disposed in aline-of-sight relationship with respect to said transmitter antennameans.